Brussels refuses to impose an obligation to maintain games, invokes copyright and provides a code of conduct for the “end of life” of video games.
The European Commission announced, Tuesday June 16, 2026, that it would not propose a legal obligation to keep video games playable after their marketing has stopped, according to Le Figaro and AFP. The European executive clarifies that it cannot prevent publishers from disabling games for commercial reasons.
Initial observation and legal response
For a decade, hundreds of online video games have been made unplayable by the simple decision of their publisher, for technical or economic reasons, without compensation for consumers. This observation is at the heart of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) Stop Destroying Videogames, which calls for a law to ensure that games remain active beyond their commercial cessation. Seized within the formal framework of this initiative, the Commission rejected the central request of the petitioners. She cites obstacles linked to intellectual property law and respect for copyright. According to her, these rights prevent any obligation to maintain playability, including via private servers run by volunteers.
The European executive wants to launch discussions with the video game industry and consumer representatives. The objective is to develop a code of conduct on the management of the “end of life” of games. The Commission also intends to work with consumer organizations and national authorities. The goal: to guarantee respect for the rights of players, in particular the compensation that may be due to them.
Nearly 1.3 million European players supported the petition. Last week, around forty MEPs from all sides supported the initiative in a letter addressed to the Commission. The organizers are now banking on the European Parliament and the Digital Fairness Act (DFA), a text on online consumer rights expected at the end of the year. They are hoping for an amendment prohibiting publishers from deliberately disabling consumer purchases. According to them, the objectives of the DFA make it an ideal vehicle for their proposals.
National litigation and industrial issues
At the same time, the consumer defense association UFC-Que Choisir took legal action in France against Ubisoft, after the shutdown of the racing game The Crew. She denounces “deceptive” commercial practices and “unfair terms”. More broadly, purchased titles become unplayable when publishers shut down the servers for technical or economic reasons. The Commission points out that any opening to private servers requires the agreement of the rights holders.
